Meas Meu targets a dream win

A Cambodian mixed martial arts star is aiming for a comeback success at tonight’s ONE: Unstoppable Dreams showcase at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

In January, Meas Meu’s name reverberated around the world, although not for the reasons he had hoped.

Meu, an accomplished judoka and fighting out of Phnom Penh-based fight school Cambodian Top Team, was dropped by Filipino Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly at ONE: Global Heroes in Manila. The featherweight delivered a sensational first-round knockout with a ferocious high kick to the head only 21 seconds into their contest.

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Within 24 hours of the knockout reel being uploaded to Facebook it had already racked up more than one million views.

Tonight, Meu (6W-1L) will hope to cause an upset as he faces China’s Xie Chao (8W-3L) in the ONE Championship cage. While Xie has lasted the distance with some tough Russian fighters, Meu has cause to be optimistic.

Just last Saturday, experienced CTT protégé Sor Sey captured a remarkable comeback victory in a captivating fight for the ages at ONE: Grit and Glory in Indonesia.

While there was a phenomenal reception for Indonesia’s own Victorio “Indra” Senduk, thousands packing into the Jakarta Convention Center to support their unbeaten countryman. However, they did not account for the heart of the 35-year old Cambodian.

In the clinch, the Kun Khmer veteran landed solid knees and elbows as the Indonesian absorbed a huge amount of punishment in the final 30 seconds of round two. His face was marked up and he tired at the start of the third.

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Sey’s commitment to add grappling to his striking base paid dividends, and he was awarded a unanimous decision win in his opponent’s backyard. Also, in victory, the Cambodian became the first man to defeat Senduk in his mixed martial arts career.

ONE, for the first time ever, will hold three world title bouts in a single night with tonight’s event headlined by an exciting rematch which pits ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angela Lee and Japanese veteran Mei Yamaguchi.

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “ONE: Unstoppable Dreams is shaping up to be one of the biggest nights in the history of martial arts. Three world title bouts are set to take place in Singapore.

“Headlining the card is Asia’s biggest martial arts star, ‘Unstoppable’ Angela Lee, as she continues to embody the true warrior spirit of martial arts. She returns to the ONE Championship cage to resume her incredible career. Mei Yamaguchi is ready to give her a tough challenge however, and the two have danced inside the cage once before.

Meanwhile, Lee recognises how dangerous her opponent is, but is confident going into the fight. “She’s not the same fighter two years ago, and I’m not the same fighter two years ago. We will bring out the best from each other,” Lee said.

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Also on tonight’s fightcard, ONE Featherweight and Lightweight World Champion Martin Nguyen will defend his featherweight crown against Christian Lee, while multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao meets Lion Fight Lightweight World Champion Sergio Wielzen for the inaugural ONE Super Series Muay Thai Flyweight World Championship.

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